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What is a smartwatch?
What sets a smartwatch apart from a conventional digital watch, or, for that matter, a wearable activity tracker? The lines are blurring, at least between the last two.
Basically, smartwatches are wearable-technology devices that maintain a relatively persistent wireless connection to your mobile device—usually a smart phone—and can receive notifications of incoming calls, texts, instant messages, social-network updates, and more, from that device. Some can also let you accept and conduct phone calls right on the watch. And even newer models (the Samsung Gear S, for one) can act as smart phones all on their own, without needing a paired phone nearby.
Smartwatches, like smart phones, can also run apps, via your smart phone or right on the watch. These include health and fitness apps (thus the comparison with activity trackers), apps that control functions such as music and the camera on your phone, navigation apps, and more. Because most smartwatches have open software platforms (at least so far), developers are coming up with new and innovative apps that can increase the functionality of the devices.
Manufacturer claims
All of the tested smartwatches pairs via Bluetooth with iOS and/or Android mobile devices to receive notifications of incoming calls and messages and other information from the mobile device. Each model is Android-compatible, and the Martian, Cookoo, and MetaWatch models also have iOS compatibility.
All but the Martian Notifier claim some degree of water resistance: the LG, Samsung, and Motorola models can survive underwater up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, the Cookoo2 up to 100 meters, and the MetaWatch up to 3ATM, which is equivalent to 30 meters. Only the Martian and Motorola models claim to have scratch-resistant screens (the Martian has an anti-scratch acrylic crystal and the Moto 3 uses Gorilla Glass 3).
None of the newly tested models’ time displays time out when the watches are inactive, which we’ve seen happen on previously tested smartwatches. The time displays of the LG, Samsung, and Motorola models have a setting to keep them always on, though they dim after a little while. The Martian Notifier and Cookoo2 have traditional analog watch faces.
Ask yourself these 5 questions before you buy a smartwatch. And check our reviews of these previously tested—and still available—smartwatches: Martian Passport, Pebble Steel and Pebble Watch, Samsung Gear 2 and Gear Fit, Sony SmartWatch 2, and MetaWatch Frame and Strata.
How we tested
Our testers subjectively evaluated each model for ease of pairing, ease of interaction, and readability of the display in bright sunlight. All were judged to have about the same ease of pairing; each also requires an app to be downloaded to the mobile device.
The LG G Watch, Samsung Gear Live, and Motorola Moto 360—the Android Wear models—have intuitive color touchscreen interfaces and were judged easiest to interact with. The Martian Notifier, Cookoo 2, and MetaWatch M1, which have push-button navigation, were determined to be the most difficult to use. In particular, the Cookoo 2's buttons were very hard to press.
As for screen readability, the Notifier and Cookoo 2 were judged best for reading the time in bright sunlight, but worst for reading text. The other watches were judged to have about the same readability of both time and text in bright sunlight.
We evaluated the watches’ claimed water resistance, with one exception, the Cookoo 2: It claimed water resistance to 100 meters or 300 feet, but we can test only to 220 feet. Each of the other models met its water-resistance claims, and the Cookoo 2 met its water-resistance claim to the maximum depth to which we could test.
And finally, we tested “scratch hardness”—the resistance of the watch’s screen to scratching. All were rated as very good or excellent, except the Martian Notifier, which claimed an “anti-scratch acrylic crystal” yet was rated as poor.
We did not test battery life, as smartwatches vary widely in how they’re used and how much power each needs throughout a typical day.
—Carol Mangis
Latest watches
Check the smartwatch comparison to see what we liked and didn't like about each model. And read about Android Wear, Google's OS for wearable tech devices.
Cookoo 2 Connected Watch, $150
Claimed battery life: 3 years
Claimed water resistance: 100 meters
Weight: 2.6 ounces
Works with: Devices running Android 4.3 and later; Apple iPhone 5s,5c and 5, iPhone 4s, iPad (4th and 3rd generation), iPad mini
If you like traditional analog watches and want just a few smart features, the Cookoo 2 might be more appealing than its more full-featured rectangular competitors. Behind its hands is a monochrome display that delivers basic notifications: incoming calls (with Caller ID), missed calls, texts, e-mail, social media alerts (for WhatsApp, Line, QQ, WeChat, Skype, Facebook, Twitter), and calendar alerts. Just bear in mind that it's a very basic smartwatch, with little configurability.
The Cookoo 2 is available in six colors, including, black, white, blue, and purple.
LG G Watch W100, $230
Claimed battery life: Not stated
Claimed water resistance: 1 meter no longer than 30 minutes
Weight: 2.2 ounces
Works with: Smart devices using Android 4.3 and higher
The LG G Watch was the first one we tried that uses Google’s Android Wear OS (the Moto 360 and Samsung Gear Live do as well). It includes Google Now, the company's Siri-like "intelligent personal assistant." Say “OK Google,” and you can do Google searches, compose texts, and make requests of your watch (“Show me my steps” or “Set an alarm”). Google Now also offers up a stream of "cards" on the watch's face, with information it determines is relevant to you. If, for example, the card tells you how many minutes it would take you to get home from your current location, you can click on the card and get specific traffic and navigation information.
The G Watch comes with a black or white rubber strap, but you can swap it out for any standard 22mm watch strap.
Martian Notifier, $130
Claimed battery life: Up to 6 days
Claimed water resistance: None stated
Weight: 1.8 ounces
Works with: Android smart phones using version 2.3.3 or later, Android tablets using version 2.3.3 or later; iPhone 6, 6+, 5S, 5C, 5, 4S, iPod touch (5th generation) iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad (3rd generation)
The Martian Notifier combines a traditional analog watch with a small, narrow OLED screen at the bottom of the watch’s face, on which alerts appear—just tap the screen to dismiss them. You can also customize vibrations for different kinds of alerts. The Notifier is compatible with a wide range of apps; check Martian's website for a list.
The Notifier comes in black, white, or red, and you can swap out the silicone strap; Martian offers eight other colors ($20 each).
MetaWatch M1, $349
Claimed battery life: 5 to 7 days of battery life
Claimed water resistance: 3 ATM
Weight: 5.8 ounces
Works with: Android 4.3 and higher, iOS 7.0 and higher
The MetaWatch M1, like the Cookoo 2 and Martian Notifier, is a basic smartwatch. It shows alerts for texts, e-mails, social media updates, calendar appointments, weather, and Caller ID, and can control your phone's music app. The notifications are configurable in terms of what you are alerted to and how: whether via a vibration or on the watch’s display. Also built in are a timer, a stopwatch, and an alarm
We tested the Stainless Silver model, but the stylish-looking M1 comes in a variety of materials, including rubber, leather, and stainless steel. Other models are priced lower and higher, ranging from $250 to $450. At 5.8 ounces, the steel model is also heavier than rubber or leather models.
Motorola Moto 360, $250
Claimed battery life: All day, mixed use
Claimed water resistance: 1 meter no longer than 30 minutes
Weight: 1.8 ounces
Works with: Smart devices using Android 4.3 and higher
The Moto 360 was the first round smartwatch we got our hands (or wrists) on, and the design was a standout, for us. It looks like a traditional watch and fits more comfortably than rectangular smartwatches, but still packs the full functionality of an advanced smartwatch. Like the LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live, it runs the Android Wear OS, allowing voice commands and pushing relevant information to the wearer.
This smartwatch comes with a stainless steel case and metal or leather straps. We tested the black body with black leather straps; prices for other styles range from $250 to $350. [corrected 1/27/15]
Samsung Gear Live, $200
Claimed battery life: None stated
Claimed water resistance: 1 meter no longer than 30 minutes
Weight: 2 ounces
Works with: Smart devices using Android 4.3 and higher
The Samsung Gear Live is the first of the company’s smartwatches to be compatible with any Android phone running Android 4.3 or higher; other Gear models can be paired only with specific Samsung phones. Like the LG G Watch and Moto 360, it runs the Android Wear OS, allowing voice commands and pushing relevant information to the wearer. Compared with the LG G Watch, we prefer the style and fit of the Gear Live. The watch body is slightly curved, which made it more comfortable. The Gear Live also has a heart-rate monitor, which the G Watch lacks.
The Gear Live comes with either a black or wine non-swappable plastic strap.
Optoma ML550 Revew
Pico projectors are something of a gamble. Small and easy to carry they might be, but what they give in terms of portability these pocket-sized projectors often take in brightness and resolution. After all, where's the benefit of a small projector if the presentation it produces makes you look unprepared - and ill-informed?
Optoma gets around all of these problems with the ML550, which is the most versatile of all pocket projectors, but the much-needed extra brightness it offers comes with a high price tag of about £470 that, ultimately, could cost it.
Specifications
We want it all - a small size and a small price - but in reality the shrinking of tech normally carries a premium. And so it is with Otoma's ML550, whose mere 380g weight and 39x105x106mm dimensions put it ahead of a D-SLR camera in terms of portability.
However, it's not its size, but its brightness that makes the ML550 the leader of the pack; its 550 ANSI Lumens, delivered by an LED lamp rated at 20,000 hours, is about five times brighter than most of its competitor products.
Its pixel resolution of 1,280 x 800 is handy, too, though the 4:3 shape is more suited to older laptops. Not that this is at all an old-fashioned product; 3D readiness makes sure of that (even if extra, separate 3D specs need to be bought), though, arguably, of more importance is its built-in 1.5GB flash drive that can host - and play, thanks to its built-in architecture - all kinds of presentation-centric files and formats.
Look around the back and the sheer versatility of the ML550 quickly sinks in.
As well as a single HDMI input (that can take a feed from a Blu-ray player or games console as well as from a smartphone or tablet, thanks to its MHL-ready status), the ML550 has a USB 2.0 slot for thumbdrives, a universal I/O slot (as well as a cable that supplies either audio or a feed from a laptop), and a microSD card slot.
Unlike some mini projectors that take their power exclusively from the laptop they're linked to - such as thePhilips PicoPix PPX2055 - the ML550 uses a rather large array of cables and separate power pack; but that's the flip-side of its otherwise more versatile design.
Revew of GoPro
Which GoPro should you buy? We tackle every GoPro model and the best accessories
Picking the right GoPro for you needn't be tricky, we rundown the best GoPro cameras and accessories available now
GoPro and the action camera has changed the way we chronicle our lives. Without the advent of the GoPro or various other action cams on the market, we’d never be able to show the rest of the world just how much of an extreme-sports nut we really are.
Whether it’s high-octane, adrenaline-fuelled skydiving videos, chaotic white-water-rafting snaps or bone-chilling basejumping shorts, the action cam has made filming them possible. Thanks to their ruggedised shells and waterproof cases, action cams bring the ability to film extreme sports and situations to amateur filmmakers everywhere.
Nobody will argue that GoPro is the undisputed leader of the pack when it comes to action cams. Essentially taking the medium to the mainstream, GoPro has become the go-to choice of professional athletes and videographers, even being used in film and television – including such blockbuster projects asthe last The Hobbit film. If you want to see what kind of footage you can capture (granted with the right know-how and editing ability), GoPro’s own YouTube channel is a good place to start.
Which GoPro to buy
1. GoPro Hero: The everyman’s action cam
The GoPro Hero range is the now discontinued entry-level series from GoPro. Starting at around £95, this basic set of cameras gives you all the functionality you’ll need when getting started. It’s worth noting that every Hero camera comes fixed inside a waterproof case resistant to 40m, and doesn’t come with a swappable battery as in GoPro’s Hero4 range.
GoPro Hero
The Hero’s sub-£100 price reflects its standing as the most basic model in GoPro’s catalogue. Capable of 1080p at 30fps, or 60fps if you drop the resolution to 720p, the Hero’s video capabilities are really the bare essentials. With bit-rate capture at only 15Mbits/sec, along with a fixed Ultra Wide field of view, this isn’t the best option if you’re looking to record hectic extreme sports or capture slow-motion footage.
The Hero can also capture 5-megapixel photos – the lowest resolution of all GoPro’s current cameras – and is limited to intervals of just 0.5-seconds on time-lapse photos. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to easily see, edit and share your images and videos thanks to a lack of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
GoPro Hero+ / GoPro Hero+ LCD
Because the Hero+ and Hero+ LCD are exactly the same – aside from the addition of an LCD screen – it makes sense to lump them together. Currently both models are available on Amazon for a similar price, so there’s really no reason not to go for the LCD model if the Hero+ sounds appealing.
Compared to the Hero, both models are capable of capturing 1080p at 60fps and record all footage at up to 25Mbits/sec. Photos can be taken with an 8-megapixel resolution, and time-lapse photos now have the option for intervals from half-a-second up to 60-second intervals. Both models have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for easy uploading and sharing of content. As with the Hero, both modes can only shoot in an Ultra Wide field of view and aren’t suitable for slow-motion video.
The touchscreen also brings added extras, including a more intuitive camera settings menu and the ability to edit clips into 15- and 30-second videos to upload directly onto Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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